Macrocytic or Pernicious Anemia

by Margeurite
(Fort Lee, NJ)

My blood tests results have been abnl:


MCV 102.7
MCH 35.4
MPV 6.1
Low Protein, low albumin, unexplained wt. loss, GI probs

Are finding indicative of Pernicious Anemia, or Macrocytic Anemia?

Comments for Macrocytic or Pernicious Anemia

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Macrocytic Anemia vs Pernicious Anemia
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

Hi Marguerite,

I'm going to try to answer your question without making this TOO confusing, but let me know if something doesn't make sense, OK?

Ok. So, you HAVE Macrocytic Anemia!! Macrocytic anemia is an OBSERVATION and not a diagnosis of anything. It simply says that your red blood cell is large- macrocytic anemia.

Pernicious anemia is a DIAGNOSIS, and since I'm a nurse I can't diagnose you with pernicious anemia- and you would need more testing than you have given me there to find out if you really do have pernicious anemia.

But even if you DON'T have pernicious anemia, your doctor SHOULD have checked your Vitamin B12 Level. Macrocytic anemia is the 'Classic' presentation of Vitamin B12 Deficiency. However, if your B12 level is low, your doctor is likely to say that you have pernicious anemia, give you Vitamin B12 Shots and send you on your way telling you that you need a shot every month...

(continued below...)
Macrocytic Anemia Continued...
by: Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune Queen!

But here's where it gets interesting. Doctors are rarely interested in WHY you have macrocytic anemia and low protein levels with gastrointestinal problems. But if your doctor has any knowledge whatsoever, he will recognize that it's EXTREMELY likely that you have Gluten Sensitivity!!!

Unfortunately, there are two problems with this. He will either NOT recognize it and you, like tens of thousands of people out there, will be left with Undiagnosed Celiac Disease

OR he will recognize it and test you, not realizing that Diagnosing Gluten Allergy is very very inaccurate and you will probably be undiagnosed anyway when you really have Non Celiac Gluten Intolerance.

Ughhh. In any case, it's EXTREMELY likely that your Macrocytic Anemia and low protein levels are SYMPTOMS of some malabsorption condition that your doctor should look into more deeply.

Please do NOT just accept that you have Pernicious Anemia, get B12 shots and go on your way- you need to figure out WHY you are not absorbing- and the VERY likely answer that your doctor is VERY likely to miss- is that you have Celiac Disease or Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.

Another possibility is that you have the H Pylori Bacteria which can lead to malabsorption, Macrocytic Anemia and gastrointestinal problems as well. You should have an H Pylori Test done as well.


Kerri Knox RN Immune Health Queen

Kerri Knox, RN- The Immune System Queen
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Immune System
My Father
by: Anonymous

My father has been suffering with numbness in is check and left upper mouth for over two years. Since he has had this, he is now suffering with tingling in both hands. His skin is palor now, as he is normally dark skinned. His walk is becoming more of a hesitant walk..like he takes baby steps now. One doctor said he is anemic, but nothing about Pernicious anemia. I believe he has that. He goes to the VA and it drives me crazy! They just give him meds and move him along. He also is very tired, I've noticed the last two years he is not right mentally either. Slower talking and not nearly as sharp. (He was always a fast talker and very sharp.)Also suffers from bouts of constipation. Please help me.
Please start by reading the thread.
by: Kerri Knox, Registered Nurse

Please start by reading the thread. There is no downside in assuming that he has vitamin b12 deficiency and treating him as such.


Vitamin D Deficiency

is another common problem for neurologic problems and should be checked.


Kerri Knox, RN

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